<p>So I'm a civil engineering major at the University of Maryland, College Park. I'm set to graduate in Dec. 2011. I have come to the conclusion that civil engineering, well engineering in general, is probably not my thing. I'm still going to finish out the degree because it's way too late to change now but I'm starting to look into the future to see what I could be doing with my life. Here are some of my ideas:</p>
<p>-Public Policy: I got into my university's Federal Semester program which helps us get into the field of public policy by getting an internship. I'm focusing on energy and environmental policy. I like the thought of working for the federal government.</p>
<p>-Banking: My friend's dad also got a civil engineering degree way back when and he's working at the Inter-American Development Bank. Maybe I could do something like this?</p>
<p>Well, that's all I have so far. Do you think I can get into one of these fields? What are some other areas that I can get into? Anyone have experience in getting into a non-engineering field? Should I minor in something to get a better shot?</p>
<p>If you’re not concerned with how much money you make there are plenty of job opportunities. You could apply for jobs along with liberal arts majors and have a one up on them since an engineering degree is harder and demonstrates more. Just make sure you prepare a good answer to the inevitable onslaught of “why did you major in engineering if you don’t want to be an engineer?” and “why do you want to work here if you have an engineering degree?” types of questions that interviewers may ask you.</p>
<p>If money is an issue you could try toughing it out in an engineering job for a short duration and then go into management. Some entry level engineering jobs start out like management. However, neither path will completely sever you form the engineering world.</p>
<p>When I graduated there were a few people who had a similar attitude of not wanting to be an engineer. I don’t know what has become of them but you’re not the only one who has been in this situation. Do you know what part of engineering you don’t like? Do you know what part you did like? If you can answer those questions it will help you figure out what kind of job you might enjoy.</p>
<p>you could get a masters in education and become a high school math/science teacher.</p>
<p>You can also get into:
- consulting
- think tanks
- teaching
- patent law
- financial analyst</p>
<p>If you’re into banking, make sure you get some kind of economic background along with your engineering degree. Preferably a double major or minor while as an undergrad. Well actually, whatever your career plan is outside of engineering, make sure you get decent exposure and participation in that field while as an undergrad.</p>
<p>For example if you’re into consulting, join the consulting group and participate in case studies as an undergrad. I know a few engineers who got in Deloitte, Bain, McKinsey, etc. because they have done this (they weren’t the best engineers, but they were good thinkers from a big picture.)</p>